Sphingidae
890123 –
7812 Sphinx drupiferarum
Smith, 1797
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| Photographs are the copyrighted property of each photographer listed. Contact individual photographers for permission to use for any purpose. |
© Marius Aurelian
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| Synonymy: |
drupiferarum Smith, 1797 (Sphinx) - MONA 1983: 7812marginalis Clark, 1936 (Sphinx)utahensis Edwards, 1881 (Sphinx) |
| Distribution: |
An uncommon species, ranges coast-to-coast from Nova Scotia to British Columbia southward where, excepting Florida and the desert southwest, it is found in the northern portions of the Gulf States and northern California. |
| Seasonality: |
One brood throught most of its range, possibly two broods southward, flight period May into July. Wingspan 90 - 110 mm. |
| Host Plants: |
Foodplants include apple, cherry, peach, plum, lilac and hackberry. Larva is a green hornworm with 7 pairs of oblique lateral stripes, horn is purplish with yellowish-green base. Head is granulose with a pair of purplish lateral bands. (see references)
Host familiy: Ericaceae Oleaceae Rosaceae Cannabaceae[Ulmaceae]. Host genera: Amelanchier Celtis Malus Prunus Pyrus Syringa Vaccinium. Notes: specialist feeding mostly on Prunus (Crabo et al 2014); leaves (Wagner 2005). (Shropshire & Tallamy 2025 [accessed 6xii2025])
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| Description: |
- Forewing dark gray with white edgings along the costa and outer margin.
- Reniform spot with black edges.
- Hindwing dark gray with two light gray bands.
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| Similar : Species |
- Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
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| References (Caution: DNA barcoding at BOLD provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.) |
- Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Identifications often erroneous; DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; many specimens not sequenced.
- Covell Field Guide p.36; Pl. 4(11, male).
- Hall et al., 2021. The Moths of North Carolina - website (identification, habitats and life history)
- Hodges, R. W., 1971. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 21:p. 69; pl. 5.11. order or free PDF
- Shropshire, K.J. & D.W. Tallamy, 2025. Lepidoptera of North America, north of Mexico: an annotated list containing geographic ranges and host-plant records. ZooKeys, 1261: 101-113; Suppl. 1. (PDF or read online)
- Species Page at Bill Oehlke's moth website - Sphinx drupiferarum
- Species Page at Block Island Moths
- Species Page at BugGuide.Net
- Species Page at E. H. Strickland Museum
- Species Page at Mass Moths
- Species Page at Pacific Northwest Moths
- Species Page at iNaturalist
- Tuttle, J. P., 2007. Hawk Moths of North America: p. 89; pl. 7.10.
- Wagner, D. L., (2005). Caterpillars of Eastern North America, pp. 256, 260.
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© Nolie Schneider
© Nolie Schneider
© Nolie Schneider
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100mm – © Jim Vargo
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© Janice Stiefel
5th instar
© Canadian National Collection LG
© Janice Stiefel
4th instar
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